As novelist,James Lloyd quotes- A school is not a factory. Its raison d’être is to provide opportunities for experience. And a fitting example of this can be seen through the students of one of the oldest schools in the city,Shri Shivaji Preparatory Military School (SSPMS). The school owes its existence to the vision of His Highness Rajaram Chhatrapati Maharaja of Kolhapur. The school motto is Educate,Motivate and Illuminate,making every student a responsible citizen of the country.
Sport is the main stronghold of the SSPMS and it has given eight players to Ranaji cricket. Krunal Bhosale,a student of class 10 is national player of swimming,who took part in Commonwealth Games that was held in Pune recently. Ajinkya Desai who is in the Indian Football team of Under 16 and schools under 18 team also won the runner up trophy in the Inter School Cricket Tournament conducted by Pune school Athletic Association. S V Ithape,sport teacher says, Our students are making us proud and achieving new milestones in different kinds of sports. We have a special coach for every game and Mallkhamb (pole gymnastics) a traditional sport is also introduced in the sports activity. Games like kickboxing,horse riding,taekwondo and skating too have been inducted in the sports section.
N B Yewale,Principal of the school says,Our goal is to promote academic excellence,to provide quality education and inculcate learning habits and to nurture all round development of students. Today opportunities are unlimited to cash on intelligence,imagination,industry and ability.
The school has a gamut of activities planned for the students in inter-house and interschool competitions. Students have won the several awards in English Poetry recitation,debate,quiz and every year the school performs at the Kolhapur carnival. Recently the school arranged a study tour to IUCAA to attend the lectures and workshops conducted by eminent scientist and subject experts.
Shivali Jagtap,the English teacher says that in the field of academics,the students have achieved new horizons and gives all the credit to the students and school management for the phenomenal success. She further adds,School arranges educational excursions for the students so that they can enjoy studying outside the classroom. It is the biggest classroom for the student and they can learn new things.
The School arranges workshops on personality development and career oriented seminars for students on regular basis and people from different fields come to guide students.
Ankita Garg,a class 12 student wants to pursue her career in the medical field says,Apart from the academics and curriculum activities there is an ample scope for personality development and students versatility.
Navneet Karnath,another class 12 student adds,Here in our school teachers are always there to help us and students get the maximum support from the teacher. I will always cherish all the memories and experience that I shared during my school days.
The School possesses a rich library which has all the necessary books and students always use the library in their leisure time. Apart from this,the school arranges debate,quiz,and poetry recitation competitions.I always participate in the school activities like quiz,debate,dance and poetry recitation and encourage my friends to take participation. She adds further, I like reading books and I utilize the school library,adds Priyanka Solanki,a student of class 10.
Todays students are tomorrows managers so the school gives emphasis on leadership qualities and identifies such students and rewards them by conducting various innovative activities. Student council is the best podium for the students to show their talent. Simmy Joy ,class 10 and School head girl agrees adding, I get ample of opportunities to exemplify my talent and become a dynamic leader and I consider myself fortunate enough to have SSPMS as my training ground.